[…] National Telegraph […]
Written By Wyatt Claypool, Posted on April 30, 2020
Member of Parliament for Lanark—Frontenac—Kingston, Scott Reid, despite being the purported Ontario Conservative MP that put forward the motion to have MP Derek Sloan apologize for criticizing Dr. Theresa Tam, has now aimed at those leaking information about Sloan.
Reid detailed out the issues in a lengthy Twitter thread.
Someone has been leaking detailed information on what happened in the CPC’s Ontario caucus earlier this week. Leaks include the text of a motion that I (purportedly) presented, and details as to who voted for and against it. 1/9
— Scott Reid (@ScottReidCPC) April 30, 2020
Before the vote yesterday, and before the time limit put in place had expired for Sloan to apologize, the mainstream media reported on the event, despite those details usually remaining confidential.
Reid mentioned on the days leading up to the caucus meeting that multiple outlets had already requested comments about the motion against Sloan, seemingly being aware of the exact date and time of the Ontario CPC caucus meeting.
Leaks started early. Here’s a text I got Tuesday afternoon, from a Torstar reporter: “I understand Ontario caucus is meeting right now to discuss whether or not to recommend Derek Sloan be removed from caucus.” 2/9
— Scott Reid (@ScottReidCPC) April 30, 2020
The repetition of media requests at this time point to the motion to apologize against Sloan not merely being a rumor to many journalists, but a matter of fact, indicating that someone from within the Ontario CPC caucus may have leaked important details.
So: Multiple leaks on multiple days to multiple media outlets. I responded to Torstar & CBC in the only way that is acceptable: I ghosted them. Not even a courtesy response declining the proffered interviews. 4/9
— Scott Reid (@ScottReidCPC) April 30, 2020
Reid suspects either an MP themselves caused the leak, due to the meeting only allowing MPs to attend, or a leadership campaign staff member, which would apply to Erin O’Toole and Derek Sloan who are both Ontario CPC caucus MPs.
Only MPs attended the mtg. So there are two ways this information could have leaked: 1. An MP leaked directly to media; 2. An MP told a Leadership Campaign team, which decided that a leak could help their guy win, and therefore contacted media. 5/9
— Scott Reid (@ScottReidCPC) April 30, 2020
For Sloan, this leaking may have gotten the Ontario CPC caucus off his back. Although Sloan refused to apologize for his criticism of Dr. Tam, and instead released a statement clarifying how his objections were not at all racist or sexist, Reid accepts Sloan’s statement as an acceptable form of a retraction.
Nobody suffers from the illusion that I am a Sloan supporter. After all, it was (purportedly) my motion, demanding the retraction of his rhetoric that was leaked. But whether we like the form of his retraction or not, he has retracted. The bigger issue is the leak itself. 8/9
— Scott Reid (@ScottReidCPC) April 30, 2020
Finally, in the last message of the Reid Twitter thread, he stated that if an MP had leaked this information to the media, that person should be the one being considered for expulsion to the party and not Derek Sloan like some have been pushing for.
If an MP leaked this, then that MP—not Derek Sloan–should be the one facing expulsion. And if a leadership candidate authorized his team to make the leak, then he should be reconsidering whether he is fit to lead the party. 9/9
— Scott Reid (@ScottReidCPC) April 30, 2020
This all seems like an unlikely turn of events as just yesterday; the intense scrutiny of Sloan appears to be at its highest point. In a departure from that today, Reid has shifted scrutiny onto those within the party who may have been seeking Sloan’s removal from the national caucus by illegitimate means.
It isn’t clear whether or not anyone will ever be identified for the leaks, but the pressure on Sloan may ease off of him if the CPC and the media turn their attention to the leaks.
Wyatt is a student at Mount Royal University, where he is the president of its Campus Conservative club. In his writing, he focuses on covering provincial and federal politics, firearms regulation, and the energy sector. Wyatt has also previously written for The Post Millennial.
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A well written report. Thanks for your effort. It raises awareness.
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November 11, 2024
September 27, 2024
I’ve been a member of Reform, Alliance and now the PC party for over 30 years but this is the end for me….Conservatives are so stupid that they eat their own and shoot each other in the foot….the Alliance party never should have merged with these clowns…neither could have won but at least you could trust other Alliance members.
Why should any MP be subject to this type of action. He stated exactly what every single Conservative in Canada believes. That is the the liberal appointed Dr Tam has gone against the wishes of the majority of Canadians and followed the lies from Chinese government who denied that the virus was covered up and that the actions were not serious. Allowing flights to enter Canada and not stopping the Illegal immigrants to cross the American border to illegally enter Canada without checking any credentials. This should never have happened in the first place. She has made such ridiculous statements that should preclude her from holding the post she holds. For example she stated "Masks do not help prevent the spread of the virus." That alone is irresponsible and utter nonsense. Seems she want the virus to spread out of control as does the Prime Minister and the whole Liberal party. In my opinion and that of many Canadians is that the Liberal party of Canada want the utter destruction of our country and the subversion of our country and government. Asking for him to apologize is should never have come to mind. A non confidence motion on the other hand should be on the mind of every opposition member at all times.